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DIY Steampunk Corset & Costume

Published on by Elizabeth Atia 6 Comments
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This upcycled Steampunk style corset, cuffs, choker and hat set has hand-embroidered embellishments, assorted clock features and removable shoulder straps.

Steampunk corset and cuffs #steampunk #victorian #corset #embroidery

Upcycled Steampunk Corset & Costume

The combination of old Victorian style with a futuristic sci-fi twist has always appealed to me, so imagine my delight when I discovered there was a word to describe it all: steampunk!

In between studying Open University science modules, I treated myself to making a Steampunk costume for a Halloween party. Most of my artistic creations are made from recycled materials, and this project was no different.

steampunk2
 
The corset, hat, choker and cuffs for this Steampunk costume are made from a faux-leather jacket I picked up at our local charity shop (£2). The shirt (also from the charity shop) was heavily modified to fit my shape and was also purchased at a charity shop. The first skirt (shown above) was left as is (also from the charity shop).
 
I wore this outfit at a local Halloween party and didn’t particularly care for this skirt so I made another one, a layered and ruched affair in rich green and brown. I can’t seem to find the photographs of it just now, but when I do I will upload them.
 
steampunk3
 

How to make a Steampunk Style Hat

I used this tutorial as a basis for making my Steampunk style hat. Note, I didn’t follow the instructions exactly as I was making a much smaller version. The pheasant feather quill pen (complete with nib) was purchased over a decade ago from a gift shop at Loch Lomond, Scotland. The clock face is a genuine clock face from a dismantled charity shop clock and the feather above it was from an earring made by my Canadian aboriginal auntie when she was younger – the other one has long since been lost.
 
Steampunk costume with corset, cuffs, collar and hat. #steampunk #embroidery #victoriana

How to make a Steampunk Style Corset

I used an existing corset I have as a template to cut out the faux leather pieces, but I altered the pieces so the style was different. It is hand embroidered on the front and back using print outs of embroidery patterns I found online (Google image steampunk embroidery – lots to choose from!).

The boning from the corset was the plastic boning from some of my daughter’s princess dresses (charity shop finds) and she hasn’t yet noticed they are gone – phew! Sometime in the future I would love to make a real corset using a bask and proper boning.

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All the straps are detachable as they are held on with buttons/buttonholes. The straps at the thighs hold a chain (salvaged from a charity shop belt) on the right-hand side with two old keys (one from the pantry door in a house I used to live in and one from an old wardrobe, long since demolished and tossed on the village bonfire). The left-hand strap holds a working clock I bought for myself while waiting for a flight in an airport in Birmingham last summer. It has Roman numerals on the clockface and a clear back so you can see the workings. I positively love it. 🙂

 

How to make a Steampunk Style Choker & Cuffs

  • measure two lengths of leather (or faux leather) long enough to go around your neck, and shorter, wider ones for the cuffs.
  • Sew three sides, right side together, and turn inside out.
  • Stitch the fourth side closed. 
  • Add one brass eyelet at each of the ends of the choker, and two on either end of each of the cuffs and fix with a ribbon.
  • Embellish as desired.

The cameo is a genuine cameo brought back to Canada from Venice by a boyfriend a very long time ago. The chain used to belong to the clock at the hip which I dismantled. The key was given to me by a Canadian friend before I immigrated to Scotland – she said it was a talisman and “the wearer shall know the truth”. Lace was sewn into the top and bottom and it fastens using a corset fastening with suede in the back.

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Shortly after finishing this costume I found out there was a private Steampunk party being hosted in a nearby town. I managed to get myself an invitation and was so pleased to be able to wear my own designs out in public.

Other Steampunk-themed blog posts you might like

A collection of some of my other Steampunk-inspired creations.

Origami Steampunk Wedding Bouquet Tutorial

We had a Steampunk inspired wedding - this is how I made my wedding bouquet.

Lady Amelie's Steampunk Lunch Purse

A thermally lined carrying pouch for lunch boxes. Step by step tutorial.

Watches, Clocks & A Wedding

Musings on a Steampunk wedding, and how to make a Steampunk boutonnière.

Dark Chocolate & Bourbon Vanilla Steampunk Cupcakes

An easy, but impressive, cupcake recipe perfect for a Steampunk style afternoon tea!

Comments

  1. Martina Evans says

    YAY, I love making Steampunk costumes too! You have a great eye for detail. I particularly like the corset. It’s so nice to see that you like to dress up for parties and that you take pride in your costumes. You are so talented!

    Reply

  5. Jacqueline says

    THAT is awesome !! I adore the steampunk look! you have GOT to post a photo of you wearing this!! Thanks for sharing.

    Jackie x

    Reply

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